The County of Hawai’i is joining hands with the State of Hawai’i, the faith-based community, non-profits, businesses and other concerned citizens to address the island’s homelessness crisis, Mayor Harry Kim said. The County is working collaboratively on a comprehensive program with the ultimate goal of transitioning homeless people of our island from temporary shelters to […]

Department of Parks and Recreation Director Charmaine Kamaka and Deputy Director Ryan Chong have submitted their resignations, effective September 22, 2017. Mayor Harry Kim has thanked them and praised them for their very good and hard work. “We are very grateful for all that Charmaine and Ryan have done for the community,” the Mayor said. […]

The County of Hawaii Planning Department took the principles of healthy best practices to heart, earning recognition as the first County Department in the State of Hawaii to receive the Blue Zones Approved™ worksite designation.

MEDIA RELEASE HONOLULU, HI- August 30, 2016: The Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Hawaii Red Cross have partnered to open Big Island hurricane evacuation shelters at 5 p.m. today in response to Hurricane Madeline at the following sites (please listen to the radio or local media for any changes and further updates): HAWAII COUNTY […]

I don’t think it would be wise to split Hawaii County into two counties. Yes, West Hawaii does pay 70% of the property taxes. However, this disparity is due in part to the value of the homes being higher on the west side versus the east side. In other words, West Hawaii homeowners are subsidizing […]

Hawaii County Managing Director Wally Lau Thursday (Jan 28) resigned his position and announced he is running for mayor of Hawaii County. Lau has helped manage the daily operations of the Hawaii County administration for the past seven years, as deputy managing director and managing director. His next step forward in a career of caring […]

In an effort to support local entrepreneurs forming small businesses, the County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Research and Development recently opened two Business Resource Centers, in Hilo and in Kona. Located in the departmentʻs offices in the Hawaiʻi County Building in Hilo and the West Hawai‘i Civic Center in Kona, the Business Resource Center serves […]

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i Foundation and the law firm of Davis Levin Livingston today announced a settlement of a lawsuit that challenged Hawai‘i County’s laws prohibiting individuals from holding signs asking for help.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i Foundation and the law firm of Peiffer Rosca Wolf Abdullah Kane & Carr today announced settlement of a lawsuit against Hawai‘i County over its practice of urinalyses and other invasive medical screenings as a condition of employment. The County will cease the practice, except for the approximately 3% […]

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today issued an executive order that turns over 3.68 miles of the state-owned portion of Chain of Craters Road near Kalapana to Hawaii County. The executive order states that the land is “hereby turned over to the County of Hawaii, in fee simple, for use as a county highway, and the County […]

Residents are being allowed to return home in all areas except Ka’u and Hamakua, where storm conditions are continuing. Shelters will remain open in Laupahoehoe, Honka’a, Ka’u and Pahoa. Rolling blackouts will occur due to two power plants being offline in the wake of the storm.